Transporting Injured Wildlife
Any wild animal can be dangerous, so take safety precautions, even with small babies. If it is necessary to take the animal to a Wildlife Rehabilitator, follow their instructions. If you can’t reach anyone and are certain the animal need help, here’s what to do.
Prepare a cardboard box (one with a lid) big enough to hold the animal. A shoebox works well for most small baby mammals, but animals such as raccoons might need a larger box. Line the box with an old t-shirt and poke holes in the sides before you put the animal in the box. Pet carriers may be used for larger animals.
Wear gardening gloves if you are handling a small animal and leather gloves if you are handling a larger or more dangerous mammal. For most small animals, it is best to use a towel to cover the animal and then gently scoop it into the box and close the lid securely. If the animal is a baby mammal larger than a small rodent (squirrel or chipmunk), it is best not handle it at all. Instead, use the box itself to scoop it up.
Place the box in a warm, quiet, dark place until you are able to take the animal to the Wildlife Rehabilitator. Don't let children or pets near the box. Do not handle the animal or look at it more than absolutely necessary. If the baby is small enough to be wobbly, put a heating pad, set on low, under half of the box. This will allow the baby to go to the heat or away from it.
While in the car, keep the box/carrier out of the sun and away from direct air conditioning and keep noise to a minimum.
Do not give the animal any food or water. Doing so is dangerous because the wrong diet or even water can make the baby very ill. It is far more important to keep the baby
warm and safe than to feed him.
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